Songs of Influence

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Songs of Influence

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

I'm not really a Country music fan, but this song has a special place in my heart.Hank Williams recorded this song way back in 1948, and it went on to become the top ranked 'Greatest Songs of Faith' in Country Music Television.The words read like a Gospel story - man buried under the weight of sin, and rescued and brought into eternal life by a gracious Saviour.In his later years, my Dad developed a real love for Country music. It was a bit of a shock for us all, because he really only listened to Christian music. But he regularly attended the local Country and Western Club, and would occasionally get up and loosen the vocal chords to whatever song the band were covering.

When the family learnt of this, we planned a nice surprise for him. On his 80th Birthday, six of us children all donned cowboy hats. With one of my brothers on the guitar, and myself on the harmonica, we all belted out a personalised rendition of this song that spoke about our big, blended family.He listened with tears in his eyes, and gave us a standing-O at the end!Enjoy!

Lyrics (courtesy azlyrics.com):

I wandered so aimless, life filled with sinI wouldn't let my dear saviour inThen Jesus came like a stranger in the nightPraise the Lord I saw the light.

I saw the light I saw the lightNo more darkness no more nightNow I'm so happy no sorrow in sightPraise the Lord I saw the light.

Just like a blind man I wandered alongWorries and fears I claimed for my ownThen like the blind man that God gave back his sightPraise the Lord I saw the light.

I saw the light I saw the lightNo more darkness no more nightNow I'm so happy no sorrow in sightPraise the Lord I saw the light.

I was a fool to wander and a-strayStraight is the gate and narrow the wayNow I have traded the wrong for the rightPraise the Lord I saw the light.

I saw the light I saw the lightNo more darkness no more nightNow I'm so happy no sorrow in sightPraise the Lord I saw the light.

Wednesday, 11 October 2017

I love this song for the words. They talk of standing up for what you believe in, regardless of however people treat you.When you become a Christian, your attitudes and heart change direction 180 degrees, like going from swimming downstream to upstream.You feel like the whole world has now turned you into public enemy No.1. You suddenly find out who your real friends are. But that's OK, because Jesus already warned us that would happen:John 15:18-25 (NKJV) 18 "If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it
hated you.19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet
because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore
the world hates you.20 Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater
than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they
kept My word, they will keep yours also.21
But all these things they will do to you
for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.22 If I had
not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse
for their sin.23 He who hates Me hates My Father also.24 If I had not done among
them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have
seen and also hated both Me and My Father.25 But this happened
that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, 'They hated
Me without a cause.'

I do not have to fear because I believe in the One who casts out all fear. For the Dylan purists, here's a raw live version:

I also love this Sinead O'Connor cover version:

Lyrics (courtesy lyricsfreak.com):They ask me how I feelAnd if my love is realAnd how I know I'll make it throughAnd they, they look at me and frownThey'd like to drive me from this townThey don't want me around'Cause I believe in you.They show me to the doorThey say don't come back no more'Cause I don't be like they'd like me toAnd I, I walk out on my ownA thousand miles from homeBut I don't feel alone'Cause I believe in you.I believe in you even through the tears and the laughterI believe in you even though we be apartI believe in you even on the morning afterOh, when the dawn is nearingOh, when the night is disappearingOh, this feeling is still here in my heart.Don't let me drift too farKeep me where you areWhere I will always be renewedAnd that which you've given me todayIs worth more than I could payAnd no matter what they sayI believe in you.I believe in you when winter turn to summerI believe in you when white turn to blackI believe in you even though I be outnumberedOh, though the earth may shake meOh, though my friends forsake meOh, even that couldn't make me go back.Don't let me change my heartKeep me set apartFrom all the plans they do pursueAnd I, I don't mind the painDon't mind the driving rainI know I will sustain'Cause I believe in you.

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

We all do it, don’t we? Every time we go to watch our nations’
National sporting teams go into battle with anothers’, we stand and sing our
respective National Anthems with great gusto.

It fills us with pride. It gives us spectators a lift, and
those competitors a purpose for the battle – to defend their country’s honour
against the other.

Most National Anthems laud the beauty and spectacle of their
respective country, the spirit and pride of the people, and the honour to dwell
in its’ borders and be its’ ambassador to the rest of the world.

And there is nothing wrong with having pride in your own
country. But did you ever stop and give thanks to God for His bountiful provision,
and protection?

That is why I love the New Zealand National Anthem.

Yes, it
speaks of the gift of beauty.

But it also goes a step further to thank the Giver for the
gift, and ask for protection.

It is a prayer directed to the Creator of our beautiful country, although seldom treated as such.

The anthem was written as a poem by Thomas Bracken of Dunedin, in the 1870's. It was set to music in 1876, but only officially became New Zealand's National Anthem in 1977.

Actually, we have 2 official National Anthems. The original one, God Save The Queen, is still recognised, but seldom sung by New Zealanders.

God Defend New Zealand has 5 verses, but normally only the Maori and English first verses are sung.

God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet, Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land. Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war, Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race, Gather here before Thy face, Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our free land. From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our state, Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast, But, should foes assail our coast, Make us then a mighty host, God defend our free land. Lord of battles in Thy might, Put our enemies to flight, Let our cause be just and right, God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts on the sea, Make us faithful unto Thee, God defend our free land. Guide her in the nations' van, Preaching love and truth to man, Working out Thy glorious plan, God defend New Zealand.

Thursday, 22 January 2015

This song is especially meaningful for me, for three reasons:Firstly, the uplifting lyrics. They speak of true friendship and loyalty regardless of the circumstances.Secondly, the hauntingly beautiful voice of Art Garfunkel that sends shivers down my spine.Thirdly, this was my late mothers' favourite song. I remember that when it came on the radio, she would quickly turn it up and sing along at the top of her voice.A special song, with special lyrics, evoking special memories. Enjoy!

Lyrics, courtesy lyricsfreak.com:When you're wearyFeeling smallWhen tears are in your eyesI will dry them allI'm on your sideWhen times get roughAnd friends just can't be foundLike a bridge over troubled waterI will lay me downLike a bridge over troubled waterI will lay me down

When you're down and outWhen you're on the streetWhen evening falls so hardI will comfort youI'll take your partWhen darkness comesAnd pain is all aroundLike a bridge over troubled waterI will lay me downLike a bridge over troubled waterI will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,Sail on byYour time has come to shineAll your dreams are on their waySee how they shineIf you need a friendI'm sailing right behindLike a bridge over troubled waterI will ease your mindLike a bridge over troubled waterI will ease your mind

Thursday, 24 July 2014

There is probably no other Christian anthem that stirs the heart like this famous hymn!Translated and composed by Stuart K. Hine, from the 1886 poem "O Great God", by Carl Boberg, it speaks of the awesome nature of our God - creating a special world for us to enjoy; loving us enough to spare us from His wrath in offering His Son as a sin sacrifice on our behalf; and the promise of eternal fellowship with Him after death.Here are the lyrics of the original version, but for a special treat I thought I would post a New Zealand Maori version. This song is sung at almost every Maori funeral. There is something special and heart-warming when the Maori folk come together with just a guitar as accompaniment, and sing with love and passion with their unique, hauntingly beautiful tones.I found this Maori / English version on Youtube, and it brought tears to me eyes. It is a tribute from friends of 'Audrey Phillips', and features (among others) artists Fourtunate, Vince Harder, and 2009 Australian Idol winner Stan Walker front and centre.Stan is a full-blooded Maori, even though he was born in Australia. These people are affectionately known as Maori Auzzies, or 'Mozzies'.It is obvious from the clip that not all of them know the words, but you can still worship with your eyes closed if that distracts you! Enjoy!

Wednesday, 23 April 2014

Here's one of those songs that can give you goosebumps when you hear it.It's a common song that's sung at football matches in the UK, adopted primarily by the Liverpool Football Club, being from the home of the band.It's a song of hope. When things are going from bad to worse, there will be something sweet at the end of it.It reminds me of the security I have in Christ. I can go through storm after storm after storm, and still feel secure in the knowledge that He holds my eternity in His hands (Psalm 121).

Lyrics (courtesy lyricsfreak.com): When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high And don't be afraid of the dark. At the end of a storm there's a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind Walk on through the rain Though your dreams be tossed and blown. Walk on, walk on With hope in your hearts And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone. Walk on, walk on With hope in your hearts And you'll never walk alone You'll never walk alone.

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Firstly, it speaks of the beautiful peace we can have when we know whatever gets thrown our way, we can have assurance that God is working things out for good for us because we love Him (Rom 8:28)

Secondly, it was one of my father's favourite hymns. He loved the old ones, and he sung them with great gusto. This was like his anthem, peace personified in a turbulent world. I remember singing this at his funeral, struggling to get the words out.

Lastly, the story behind the song.

Horatio Spafford was a successful lawyer and property dealer in the 19th century. However, he lost his son Horatio Jr to Scarlet Fever when he was only four years old. Then he lost almost all of his property fortune in the great Chicago fire in 1871.

In order to get away from Chicago, Spafford decided to move his family to England. However, when the time came to set sail, a business emergency prevented him from sailing, so he sent his family on ahead and promised to set sail a few days later.

Tragically his wife's ship was struck by a British steel ship and sank- most of the passengers drowned, including all four of Spafford's daughters. Spafford took the next available ship to Britain to be with his wife Anna. During the journey, the captain called him to the bridge to inform him that that he believed he was passing over the site of the shipwreck. Spafford then went to his quarters and penned this great hymn.

Horatio and Anna soon returned to Chicago, and were blessed with three more children. One of the sons they also named Horatio, but unfortunately he also fell to the same disease as his brother, at the same age as well.

Spafford knew tragedy. He suffered immeasurable loss. But he also had a great comforter in his God. He knew that all things ultimately work for good because God was in control. Six of his eight beautiful children were at home with The Lord, and he knew that was a better place for them.

Soak in the beautiful words of this amazing hymn, remembering God's wonderful peace and assurance.